Aspiring School Business Managers

Aspiring School Business Manager programme details

Are you interested in becoming a School Business Manager?

Do you want to know more about the school business manager’s role before deciding if it’s what you want to do?

The fully online Aspiring School Business Manager programme will give you the opportunity to explore the role of the school business manager (SBM), find out how the contribution of a school business manager benefits a school and how it makes a real difference to children’s learning opportunities.

If you want, or are considering, a career change to become a school business manager, or one of various similar roles offered within schools and academies, then the Aspiring School Business Manager programme is an ideal choice as it provides an introduction to the role of the school business manager. Few professions have risen so far so fast as that of the school business manager (SBM), and the importance of the role is only set to grow as schools and academies become more autonomous. See the Aspiring FAQs document (right) for more details.

Key features of our programme include:

Up to five start dates per year

Fully online

6-7 week programme length

Ideal introduction for ‘career changers’

Online support and networking opportunities available within your learning group forums

Stepping stone to progress to our Level 4 SBM qualifications

Who can apply for the Aspiring School Business Manager programme?

The Aspiring School Business Manager programme is designed for those not already working in a school office or the education sector. Please contact us if you need to discuss your eligibility for the most appropriate programme.

Many schools now expect applicants to have at least a Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management (also known as CSBM) and the Aspiring SBM programme will provide an induction into the Level 4 Diploma (CSBM) programme.

Need more information? Please see the links under Key Documents panel (on the right) to print or download helpful documents.

The following feedback is from a recent participant:

I wish to thank Doug and Kath for their wonderful teaching. I enjoyed the course so much and I can not wait to start my next course in September. The Aspiring SBM course was definitely the right choice for me as I learnt so many things in the past few weeks. I feel so confident now about my next career move; a new passion has been ignited! My tutor is very experienced and inspiring; no question was left unanswered and the level of professionalism was just fantastic! I found studying on the programme really exciting and motivating. I am certainly most impressed with the quality of teaching and course content, the wealth of resources and the level of support and encouragement from tutors. The course exceeded my expectations and I felt sad on the last class as I loved it so much! I will be back in September.. I have found my path for sure! Thank you so much- I am absolutely delighted!!!!

You can also read a case study about a participant originally from a non-education background here.

Programme Structure

The Aspiring SBM programme (course code: 210) is delivered through six WebEx (online meetings) sessions, together with some associated short tasks. These one-hour sessions take place once per week, over a 6 or 7 week period, and are normally held on a weekday evening.

The programme also provides an opportunity to discuss the role with a current school business manager and those who have already changed career to join this exciting profession.

Study activities for the Level 4 Diploma (and all other SBM programmes) are school-based, so you will need to have arranged a supporting school by the time you apply for the full Level 4 SBM programme or units. The Aspiring SBM programme will also help prepare you to approach potential support schools.

The Aspiring SBM programme also introduces the new ILM Level 4 Diploma for School Business Managers (launched in early 2018), the recognised benchmark qualification for school business managers across England.

Other support options for aspiring SBMs

We offer additional help in finding a support school if you need this once the Aspiring programme has been completed. This School Support Package costs £450 (plus VAT), but is only payable once a school confirms in writing that it will support you through the Level 4 (CSBM) programme. Please contact us for details.

Aspiring participants are also offered the opportunity to have a 30 minute, 1:1 telephone conversation with an SBM facilitator. This can be particularly useful if you want guidance with completing an application form for a school business manager post or if you have an interview. You may also find it useful to speak to the facilitator about the Level 4 (CSBM) programme or any aspect of the school business manager’s role. This 1:1 session costs £75 (plus VAT).

For further details and how to apply for these additional support options please contact sbmpartnership@serco.com. All prices quoted exclude (but are subject to) VAT.

Ready to apply?

Why choose to study with us? Click here to find out about our considerable expertise in delivering school business management programmes.

The application form is located on the SercoLearning Centrewebsite and so you will be automatically transferred to the site when you click on one of the ‘Apply Now’ buttons below.

If this is your first application, you will need to create a user account, which only takes a few minutes. You will be asked for your name and email address, and to create a username, password, and security question.

For some examples of current school business manager vacancies and other information about the school business management profession, please visit the ISBL website – (Institute of School Business Leadership). ISBL are a partner organisation of the SBM Partnership.

Key Documents

Last week was super productive, I registered for the CSBM. I spoke to the Head of the school and the business manager and now have a link school.
The aspiring course gave me the confidence to make this step. Thank you.

Recent Aspiring Participant 2016

I just wanted to say thank you for heading up the aspiring SBM course I completed recently. The course, for me, has paid off and today I was offered my first school office manager role and as you can imagine I am overjoyed!!!

Aspiring SBM 2016 participant

I would just like to convey my thanks for the input you provided during this course.
I found it extremely beneficial in helping me decide that being an SBM is a career move I wanted to make.
I have just been successful in securing an SBM role starting in September and I really don't think I could have done it without attending the aspiring course and re-reading all the material we gathered throughout the course.